ameliorate

PRONUNCIATION:

(a-MEL-yuh-rayt, uh-MEE-lee-)

MEANING:

verb tr., intr.: To make or grow better; to improve.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin melior (better). Earliest documented use: 1767.

USAGE:

"An offhand allusion to luggage problems and the presentation of his
'platinum preferred' credit card had seemed to ameliorate most of
the doubts about his desirability as a guest."
Carole Buck; A Bride for Saint Nick; Silhouette Books; 1996.